He may be acting a little more human but he had no idea how infuriating he could be when that alien side took over again. "I'm stronger now Cade, faster..."
"And you're still human. No matter the changes Bethany I can still smell the humanity on you and they'll be able to also. The second you step foot on that ship they'll know you're there, they will find us and they will destroy us."
My breath rushed out of me as my protest died on my lips. I longed to ask what I would do without him, how I would possibly survive if he was gone, again, but I remained silent. There was a haunted look in his eyes that made it impossible for me to lay such a guilt trip on him. It didn't have to be him that went, but even as I thought that I knew it did have to be him.
"You would have been one of the leaders of your people, here on earth?" I asked.
His shoulders slumped in relief as he realized I wasn't going to pursue my plea to have him stay here, with me. "That was what was intended, yes. My parents are the most powerful and therefore I would have been looked to as our representative here on earth if they hadn't returned in our lifetime."
"They'll still look to you as their leader?"
"Yes." He pulled me against his chest and wrapped me in a firm embrace. "I'll keep you safe, always."
"I want you to be safe," I whispered.
His lips curled into a cocky grin as he pulled back to look at me. "There's no stopping me."
"Har har," I muttered as I leaned forward to press a kiss against the bottom of his chin.
We both knew if he was discovered on that ship he was as good as dead. "It may not even be a definite thing yet. There is still a lot to discuss. Come on let's find the others."
He took hold of my hand again and led me through some of the backyards before we came across Bishop, Aiden, Lloyd and Jenna in a small backyard. Bishop and Jenna were filling a pillowcase full of the little red berries from a yew; Aiden was cutting snips from the bush while Lloyd stood guard by the back gate. Lloyd's gun turned toward us as Cade stepped through the open gate but he quickly brought it back to his side.
"I almost shot you," Lloyd muttered.
"You could have tried, but you would have failed," Cade told him.
Even my eyebrows shot up at that one as the others stopped in the act of filling their cases. Cade didn't seem to notice their astonishment though as he strode toward Bishop. "What are you doing?" he inquired.
Bishop managed to close his mouth as he stepped away from the bush. "Yews are poisonous, especially the seeds of the berries."
Cade frowned as he stared at the bushes. "I don't know if that would be enough or if it would even affect us."
"I thought of that." Bishop stepped away from the bush and walked over to a set of trashcans sitting next to the back gate. "There are some wisteria clippings and seedpods that I'm hoping have some seeds left as they're highly poisonous. We've also gathered some Rhododendron and Azalea clippings. I've found a few hydrangea flowers and I'm going to try and locate some deadly nightshade next. It should still be alive this time of year but it might be tricky to uncover. By the time I'm done this is going to be the most lethal combination of poisonous plants we've ever come across. Each plant will have a different effect so if one plant doesn't work hopefully the next one will. But just to be on the safe side we've also gathered some rat poison from a few of the homes."
Cade nodded as he looked over the assortment of pillowcases. "That kind of combination should work."
"Want to be the guinea pig?" Lloyd asked.
I shot him a ferocious look but Cade simply chuckled, "Not today."
Aiden offered me another pillowcase and a pair of scissors. "Give me a hand with this, Killer," he added from the corner of his mouth.
"You're funny," I muttered as he began to fill my bag and Cade retreated to keep watch with Lloyd.
"He'll be fine," Aiden assured me.
"Will he? He plans to go on that ship."
Aiden turned to survey them. "I know, but he'll come back. That alien has nine lives."
"Aiden..."
He squeezed my hand and dropped another handful of yew branches into the bag. "He'll come back."
I could only pray that he was right as I held my bag open for the next handful of clippings. My heart swelled as I looked over at Cade, but no matter what I would stay strong. I wouldn't make him feel bad for going; I wouldn't cry and beg for him to stay even if it was the only thing I wanted to do. There was no reason to make him feel bad for something he was going to do no matter what.
Chapter 18
Cade,
"So if you can get us on through here, we could make it to the Hallowed room within an hour."
Jessica lifted her head to look at me. Her brown eyes shimmered in the dim light of the lanterns as she gave a brisk nod. The subtle aroma of our species wafted from her. There was nothing on earth that our scent quite compared to but I supposed the closest thing would be the scent of a fresh spring rain. The many rivers that had once flowed through our planet seemed to still be engrained within our essence somehow.
"If all goes well," she confirmed.
I leaned back to survey the people in the room. Rosemary stood at the head of the table with the lamp to the right of her. Greg's face was pale and drawn as he glanced between the plans and Rosemary. "We should be allowed to come," he asserted.
"You'd be discovered in a heartbeat, but don't worry because Rosemary's not going either," I informed him bluntly.
Rosemary did a double take. "What!? Why!? I can be of use."
"You could have been," I admitted. "But there are too many changes in you, I can see them, even the humans can see them. There's too much of a risk that you could alert The Ancients to our presence on that ship."
She looked about to protest further but then her face fell and she looked helplessly toward Greg who couldn't contain the smile that curved his mouth. "What about you? Won't they be able to pick up on changes in you too?" Bethany demanded.
I'd been avoiding her gaze. I couldn't stand the sadness I knew would be reflected back at me in her amethyst eyes. "There are fewer changes in us." And even less in me, I added silently.
Bethany's face remained immobile but I could sense the thoughts rapidly running through her mind. She gave a subtle shake of her head and dropped her eyes to the floor. I wanted to go to her, but I remained where I was as, Cory, one of the Tintagelians Rosemary had brought in to help, took a step forward. Despite his Tintagelian heritage, Cory's hair was so light that it was nearly blond and his eyes were almost honey in hue. I'd heard that there were a few fairer ones amongst us now that had exhibited signs of their DNA already beginning to adjust to life away from the three suns of our planet, but Cory was the first one I'd ever seen.